Homemade Lemon Curd – Easy and Done in 10 Minutes!

With this quick and easy one-pot recipe, you can make your very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd anytime. You won’t go back to store-bought lemon curd again.

(Can’t get enough of lemons? Check out The Best Lemon Cheesecake. Ever. It’s a reader favourite on the blog!) 

But now, I look forward to actually having extras so I can make my very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd (and man do I need summer now; it feels like -32C as I type this).

Related: What to do with Leftover Egg Yolks

How do you make homemade lemon curd?

I used to ignore these kinds of recipes because I only get along with ovens; stoves, not so much.

And traditionally, lemon curd recipes involved double boilers and tempering eggs which I didn’t care for (that is to say: have no talent for).

Either it takes me too long or I make a mess of things or I just simply cannot for the life of me do it right (I mean, it’s difficult to ensure the boiling water doesn’t touch the bowl, right?).

Related: What to do with Leftover Egg Whites

How to make homemade lemon curd – the easy way

So I thought instead of giving myself unnecessary stress, why not take the simplest route?

Put them all in one pot and just be extra conscientious about stirring to avoid ending up with scrambled eggs. And that’s how I’ve been making my lemon curd ever since.

I promise you – try this recipe once and like me, you won’t go back to store-bought lemon curd again. This homemade version is thicker, brighter, silkier, and just all around better.

I had a jar of store-bought lemon curd sitting around in the fridge when I made this and I can really taste the difference. Put side-by-side, by colour alone (I can show you but I’m wary of lawsuits), homemade lemon curd wins.

Related: How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

What is lemon curd used for?

What is lemon curd used for, you ask? 

It’s great with scones, as filling for cakes and it’s so delicious I eat it on its own (with a spoon, out of the jar, like peanut butter, don’t judge me).

When life gives you lemons…

So when life gives you lemons (and extra egg yolks), make your very own lemon curd!

And if you can, use Meyer lemons – they are sweeter. I always keep a stash of those around.

I buy them at Costco, put them in a Ziploc bag, straight into the fridge and they last me several weeks. I’ve also learned how to freeze both the juice and the zest and they last a very long time.

Here are more lemony treats for you:

I’ve used them to make these deliciously lemony treats!

Related: How to Take Delicious Food Photos

Homemade Lemon Curd - Easy and Done in 10 Minutes

Author: Jolina

With this quick and easy one-pot recipe, you can make your very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd anytime.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine North American

Servings 24 tbsp

Calories 68 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 5 pcs egg yolks from large eggs beaten
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ⅓ cup lemon juice see note 1
• ▢ ½ cup salted butter cut into parts
• ▢ lemon zest see note 2

Instructions

 

• ▢
  In a medium saucepan, combine 5 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup lemon juice, lemon zest and 1/2 cup butter.
• ▢
  Cook over medium heat, constantly stirring until the mixture is thick enough (it usually takes me 10 minutes to get the consistency I want).
• ▢
  Remove from heat and carefully transfer the hot mixture into a heat-proof container. Use a strainer when transferring so you end up with smooth, silky, pure lemon curd.
• ▢
  Cover by putting a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd and refrigerate overnight.

Video

Notes

1. I usually use 2-4 Meyer lemons, depends on the size.
2. Use all the zest from the lemons you juiced.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 8gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 5mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 2mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Keyword 1-Pan Recipe, Afternoon Tea, Easy

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Happy Lemon Curd-ing!

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